[RectalItching]

Top HiFi-> HiFi recode unsuccessful! Buy Hi-Fi head unit?

I have an 06' 330i with Logic 7 and i took it to BMW Werks in Lake Bluff, IL where they were really competant with AutoLogic. Even with communication and coding coming straight from AutoLogic headquarters in Europe they were unable to get the Head unit to retain HiFicoding. My question is: can i just buy/swap in a HiFi headunit and hardwire my new signal from the back to my Infinity Kappa FIVE amp? It has differential balanced inputs. Also, keep my Top-Fi amp functioning

Currently i have installed the other option to De-EQ the Top Hi-fi amp with a Jl Audio Cleansweep and a Signal Summing Module feeding my amp .

It sounds beautiful, HOWEVER

After a few days, (It seems to be time-related, possibly a factory auto-reset?) when i turn my car on my clean/crisp sound is replaced with a harsh, static-filled sound quality only from the left or right channel and continuous ground noise/road noise.

I've tried plugging in the battery again after long term disconnection. The problem will go away after i recalibrate the Cleansweep, and it is not due to my technic harness being faulty or connection/solder issues because ive redone them and the problem recurs. . Im so close to a finished upgrade, Please Help!

If i can just swap the head units, i think itd be easiest, since used ones do appear on Ebay. Otherwise, itd be hard to troubleshoot the Cleansweep and Signal Sum without just replacing them. I'm unfamiliar with NCSExpert right now, but maybe i can pick it up and give it a shot. I just think the head unit wont take it.

[taibanl]

Try the dealer for recode

[ctuna]

Try the coding subforum.
Some have been able to do it there.

[RectalItching]

thanks, yeah ill give the dealer a shot. i have checked the coding forum . i think ill check the NCS Expert stuff though, thanks Ctuna. I just don't want to brick the HU lol

[taibanl]

My head unit was unable to be recoded… Supposedly. Technique and others have reported that they were unable to recode 2011 head units. However when I went to the dealer and had them do the coding that pairs with the Alpine upgrade… It worked like a charm. I'm not sure if you could do that for a downgrade but I don't see any reason why you couldn't.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by taibanl

My head unit was unable to be recoded… Supposedly. Technique and others have reported that they were unable to recode 2011 head units. However when I went to the dealer and had them do the coding that pairs with the Alpine upgrade… It worked like a charm. I'm not sure if you could do that for a downgrade but I don't see any reason why you couldn't.

I could not recode that particular OEM HU to HiFi just because I did not have the proper cable... that's the trick.

[taibanl]

Originally Posted by Technic

I could not recode that particular OEM HU to HiFi just because I did not have the proper cable... that's the trick.

glad you figured it out.

[TMR]

Use you a mobridge Da2 and be done with it.

[taibanl]

Absoulutely...if you like spending money

[RectalItching]

ill consider mobridge. i just want a solution and a great sounding stereo in the end. Im goin to call the dealer about coding ill let you guys know what happens.

[taibanl]

Oem HU -> da2 -> amp. Cost $700
OemHu Recoded -> amp. Cost ~$104.50 (+harness costs)

Same result

[DallasBoosted]

Originally Posted by taibanl

Oem HU -> da2 -> amp. Cost $700
OemHu Recoded -> amp. Cost ~$104.50 (+harness costs)

Same result

So the dealer charged $104.50 for the hifi recode? What did you tell them you were doing?

With the MOST bus (L7) was the stereo totally inoperable after the recode until you hooked up the RCA outs?

[taibanl]

Yes. In my case i had the base stereo so i handed them a copy of the alpine retrofit instructions, coding page and told them to do that, told them it was at my risk.

[RectalItching]

Is the alpine upgrade applicable to all production years of The E90, including US spec? I'm asking because i want to tell the dealer im coding for the same reason and tell them what you did. and IS there any other reason i can give to justify for coding to hi-fi? I dont think they would be willing just so i can install aftermarket audio equipment.

[taibanl]

Probably not a believable reason to downgrade...other than exactly what we are doing to our cars. Jus be up front. Tell them youd like them to try. Will be dealer dependent.

[bmw325i]

There's an even cheaper option buy a coding cable $40-$50 since you have an 06 and recode it yourself I did it a few days ago it's really simple as long as you can follow instructions.

[RectalItching]

yeah it definitely is dealer dependent, got shot down once, but i will still try this route. meanwhile i think i will try my own coding too, i can still use the cable anwyay. ill find some threads on what cables and software i will need. unless you guys have a straightforward thread you have saved you can toss my way to start with.

thanks guys for the followup, you give me some good encouragement. good to know you recoded the 06'

[makkan00]

Originally Posted by Technic

I could not recode that particular OEM HU to HiFi just because I did not have the proper cable... that's the trick.

Any help on this cable?
I could not code 2011 HU last night

[VP Electricity]

Originally Posted by taibanl

Oem HU -> da2 -> amp. Cost $700
OemHu Recoded -> amp. Cost ~$104.50 (+harness costs)

Same result

Gotta disagree with you here, sorry. I had HiFi to start. I have a DA2 now. I don't plan on offering the recode to Top HiFi to most folks, it's not going into most of our packages - but I'm not switching my car back. I thought it would be a "there, didja hear that" sort of upgrade. I was wrong. The analog output section, after their final modifications to the initial design, sounds notably better than the HiFi preamp output, and the optical into the processors I've tested (Helix, Rockford, Alpine H-800) is even better. My HiFi didn't suck - but this was a useful upgrade and is not the same as a recode.

[taibanl]

Originally Posted by VP Electricity

Gotta disagree with you here, sorry. I had HiFi to start. I have a DA2 now. I don't plan on offering the recode to Top HiFi to most folks, it's not going into most of our packages - but I'm not switching my car back. I thought it would be a "there, didja hear that" sort of upgrade. I was wrong. The analog output section, after their final modifications to the initial design, sounds notably better than the HiFi preamp output, and the optical into the processors I've tested (Helix, Rockford, Alpine H-800) is even better. My HiFi didn't suck - but this was a useful upgrade and is not the same as a recode.

Good to know, thanks! Part of my assessment was based on comments you made a few months back regarding the quality of the analog outs. This might coincide with my experience as I haven't quite rid my system completely of a noise floor (and in fact have trouble even getting MS-8 to accept the low level signal for calibration---which I know is not required but bothers me that its not clean enough for MS-8 to accept).

Perhaps whenever I put iDrive in my car, I will have to consider this. I've also looked at using Kivic One which uses Airplay to go direct to Aux-in (perfect for MS-8 i would think). Unfortunately It was due to market first half of 2012 and hasn't been seen yet.